Portugal photo requirements

Portugal photo requirements are set by Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN). We publish 3 documents: 1 ID card, 1 passport and 1 visa. The most common print size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 in x 1.77 in). Each page quotes the official rule for size, head height, background and file, links the source we read, and shows the date we last checked it (most recently 2026-10-07).

Passports

Portuguese Passport Photo (Passaporte Eletrónico Português, taken at the counter)For the Passaporte Eletrónico Português (PEP) requested in person at an IRN passport desk, Loja de Cidadão or Portuguese consulate, where the biometric photo is captured on the spot. Not for a Portuguese visa (printed photos) and not for the Cartão de Cidadão, which must already be valid when you apply.35 x 45 mmnot stated by IRNverified 2026-10-07

Visas

Portugal Visa Photo (visto nacional / Schengen, fotografia tipo passe 35 x 45 mm)For the printed passport-type photos handed in with a Portuguese national (D) visa (two photos per the residence-visa document list; the other D-visa lists were not verified) or a Schengen short-stay visa applied for through Portugal (one photo) at a consulate or VFS centre. Not for the Cartão de Cidadão or Portuguese passport, which are photographed at the counter.35 x 45 mmnot stated by the MNEverified 2026-10-07

ID cards

Portuguese Citizen Card Photo (Cartão de Cidadão, taken at the counter)For the Cartão de Cidadão requested or renewed at an IRN desk, Loja de Cidadão or Portuguese consulate, where the photo is captured live as biometric data. Not for a Portuguese visa, which takes printed passport-type photos, and not for the passport, which is also photographed at the counter.35 x 45 mmnot stated by IRN or gov.ptverified 2026-10-07

Authorities and portals

Passport authority: Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN)
Sources we read: Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) via gov.pt, with ICAO Doc 9303; Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) via gov.pt and Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros (Portal das Comunidades), with ICAO Doc 9303; Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros (Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas, Vistos) with ICAO Doc 9303

We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.